Search is on for a new town administrator

Sterling’s Town Administrator Search Committee will operate under what officials agree is an aggressive but necessary timeframe to advertise, interview and select prospective candidates for the position of town administrator.

With current Town Administrator Terri Ackerman retiring at the end of December, the Board of Selectmen and members of the search committee hope to have a replacement chosen by the end of November to allow for a transition period between them.

The Search Committee will begin this week to advertise for the post, with the law requiring that it be advertised in a minimum of two publications and for at least 10 business days. One of the advertisements must be with the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA), which will publish the position both on its Web site as well as its official publication The Beacon. The committee plans to research one or two additional professional locations to advertise as well.

According to members, the search committee hopes to collect applications and resumes, review the applicants and conduct interviews within the 90-day time period. The committee also plans to present viable candidates to selectmen no later than the end of November. Search committee member Donlin Murray noted that the “hardest part of the deadline is to get the interviews done in a timely manner.”

Search committee members said they are aware of the possibility that this search process may not initially produce any viable candidates but that the 90 days will allow for it to be repeated if necessary. They will expedite the process to allow for potentially having to re-advertise a second time.

The search committee plans to bring between three and five viable candidates to the Board of Selectmen for review, although this is not definite. Selectman vice chairman Brian Patacchiola said, “Don’t bring us five, just bring us the best.”

Search committee member Loret Schur said that a salary range is also required by town bylaw to be included in the advertisement for the position. Schur said the position will be advertised with the annual town meeting approved salary figure of $95,504, but will also note that it will be “negotiable.”